At 5pm Irish time, the Holy Father Pope Francis will preside over an extraordinary global celebration (Statio orbis) of prayer.  It will take place on the sagrato of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, the platform at the top of the steps immediately in front of the façade of the church.

The ceremony will consist of

• readings from the scriptures,
• prayers of supplication,
• adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

It will conclude with Pope Francis giving his Urbi et Orbi (to the City of Rome and to the world) blessing.

Archbishop Eamon Martin said,

“I gratefully acknowledge our national public service broadcaster, RTÉ, for facilitating the live broadcast of Pope Francis’ extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing at 5 p.m. on its News Now channel (6 p.m. Rome time). Urbi et Orbi is a very significant blessing which normally is only given by Pope Francis on Christmas and Easter. The wide dissemination of his important message and blessing will be welcomed by the many, many people throughout Ireland as an opportunity to avail ourselves of Divine Grace. I encourage everyone to watch this special broadcast.”

The conditions for this plenary indulgence are set out here.

RTÉ News Now can be received on

• Saorview channel 21;
• Virgin Media 200; Sky 521;
• Eir 500
• on the RTÉ News Now App.